“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn’t it?” Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.
So here are a few highlights of October at St Michael’s.
Sunday 5th October; new singers especially welcome. Music for Mass at 10.45am (practice at 10am) is 2 old favourites from our a cappella repertoire, Missa Aeterna Christi Munera (the eternal gifts of Christ) by Palestrina and Locus Iste (this place is made by God) by Bruckner.
The Come&Sing Choral Evensong at 6pm (practice at 4.45pm) on Sun 5th will be our Curate Fr Andy’s final Evensong at St Michael’s before he moves to Milton Abbot. We will sing many musical styles; plainsong, Anglican chant, 16th century Polyphony, Restoration Baroque and some Victorian Stanford romanticism. Check the new music list to work out which is which.
Sunday 12th October is Vision Day at St Michael’s. Bring some Lunch to share after Mass, or return at 1.30pm. Fr David writes, “This is an opportunity for the whole congregation of St Michael’s to come together, reflect and create an action plan for the church’s future.” The afternoon’s discussions will be facilitated by Sabrina Groeschel, experienced friend of St Michael’s.
Wednesday 15th October at 7.30pm. Ed Pawson, Head of Religion, Philosophy and Ethics at the King’s School, Ottery St Mary, asks in our St Michael’s Lecture, “What is the rationale for the teaching of RE in our schools today? Why does it continue to be a relevant subject within the school curriculum? What challenges do teachers of RE face in twenty-first century?” Please advertise this widely.
Owing perhaps to the height of Mount Dinham, Harvest comes a whole 4 weeks later at St Michael’s than at St David’s! Sunday 19th October sees our Harvest Thanksgiving Mass at 10.45am. Gifts suitable for the Food Bank collection would be especially welcome.
At 7.30pm on Wednesday 22nd October, Recitals @ St Michael’s continue with mezzo Margaret Thomson accompanied by John Draisey in a programme of Victorian & Edwardian Songs. Please support this. Tickets £5 (£3 concessions).
Good contemporary music also features at St Mike’s, as well as the best from the past. On Sunday 26th, Grayston Ives’ version of “O for a closer walk with God” is the Motet.
This month’s CBS Mass takes place on Tuesday 28th Ocober at 6pm, the Feast of Saints Simon & Jude Apostles.
Saturday 1st November from 10am onwards, sees our Coffee Morning and Sale in St Stephen’s Church on the High Street, in aid of St Michael’s. Visit St Stephens for a browse and a break, coffee & cake; open till 1.30pm.
Looking forward to Sunday 2nd November, the Calendar this year means we mark both All Saints at 10.45am and All Souls at 6pm. In place of Evensong we will give a full liturgical performance of the Requiem by Gabriel Faure. Any singers who would like to join us for this are invited to rehearse with us beforehand at 4.30pm, and if possible at the preceding choir practice on Tuesday 28 October.
Finally, October is also a month to remember William Barnes (22 Feb 1801 – 7 Oct 1886) the Dorset poet, priest and philologist. His Autumnal lines:-
“When leaves that leately wer a-springen
Now do feade ‘ithin the copse,
An’ painted birds do hush ther zingen
Up upon the timber’s tops;
An’ brown-leav’d fruit’s a-turnen red,
In cloudless zunsheen, auver head,
Wi’ fruit vor me the apple tree
Do lean down low in Linden Lea.”
made famous in the song Linden Lea by Ralph Vaughan Williams.